Myanmar people living in Myanmar-China border towns such as Shweli, Kyae Gaung faced strict security measures due to the current political crisis in Myanmar, according to Myanmar citizens in these towns.

“Security measures have been beefed up at the Shweli bridge entrance and fenced with barbed wire. Chinese police check those passing the place every evening. They checked facebook accounts on their mobile phones and checked health certificates issued to Myanmar. Some were denied to give back their health certificates. There are many police on the roads and streets. No one can use a phone while walking on the streets. If one uses mobile phones, they will be interrogated. Here, we have to live monitoring their situation. Even the entrances of the wards were checked and allowed when we can show the health certificate and certificates issued for those to stay in the town. We are now living in a very strict environment,” said Ko Tun who lives in Shweli.

Ko Khine in the same town also said that even the red clothes were not allowed to wear red as the National League for Democracy party colour is red. If they find Facebook on your phone, they immediately send you back to Myanmar.

Job opportunities in these border towns are few compared with the same period last year. There is less commodity flow in the Myanmar-China border as well according to Ko Soe living in Kyae Gaung.